"Then, Hinata-kun."
Squatting down, his gaze was fixated on the puppy wandering in a circle. He was mesmerized at the fact that it had no plans to start running around or becoming excited as he expected. In fact, the animal was much more composed than he’d ever witnessed before. “I wonder if it’s been trained before,” Komaeda thought, mumbling to himself, “or perhaps, did you make it like you this much in a short amount of time?”, Komaeda commented, looking up to the other with a smile.
Hinata Hajime… Komaeda had never seen them before, especially in none of his classes. Perhaps it was simply that they were put into other classes by chance, and Komaeda wasn’t lucky enough to meet them. Quite the title he was given. However, there was something different about Hinata that he couldn’t put his finger on - perhaps their presence, or was it the way they talked to him - after all, Komaeda hadn’t made any close friends at Hope’s Peak. Reaching out to pet the dog, he smiled when it cheerfully barked back at him.
"By any chance, Hinata-kun," Komaeda started, looking back up at the other agape, "do you know how to take care of a dog?"
They find themselves interested in what Komaeda might say next. He must have a reason for sticking around. Unless he had nothing better to do. Fair enough, they supposed. Aside from studying there wouldn’t be a lot to do for a Good Luck student. Basically all Hinata did was do schoolwork so this turned out to be a nice change of pace, aside from the bit of stress.
“I don’t know about that.” Scoffing briefly, they shrug and finally look back at the other with an indignant expression. “If anything it’s making me like it with those big eyes and.. ugh.” Hinata leans their head onto one hand and sighs. They halfheartedly reach out a finger towards the puppy who trots over and licks it, making the student cover their mouth, seemingly to block out a small smile.
Dogs like everyone, don’t they? Maybe he saw things in a way Hinata didn’t. After all, they did have a tendency to be sort of pessimistic. Particularly in this case, since they’ll most likely end up separated and getting attached like this is a bad idea. On the bright side, what he said was probably sort of a compliment. If you squint. Maybe their secret un-found talent is dog whispering. Though, before they can get too ahead of themselves, Komaeda poses a question which would crush that theory.
“No way.” They reply almost immediately, shaking their head several times to emphasize their point. “Well, maybe if I Googled it enough. But I can’t keep this puppy, if that’s what you mean. I’m not allowed.”
“Why...? Do you want it?”










